William "Bill" Coleman

A deep, rhythmic thundering was felt suddenly across Northeast Pa. as William “Bill” Coleman, 69, of Vandling left this world for the great funky beyond. Bill died peacefully at Geisinger CMC on August 8th after a short six month battle with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.  He is survived by his wife, the former Susan Gursky.

Born to William and Josephine Buonerba Coleman in Orange, NJ, Bill was a man of many passions. He loved to cook, a talent that some of his children were lucky enough to inherit. Others inherited only his uncanny ability to absolutely wreck a kitchen. He appreciated fine wine, but his passion was searching out or muddling the ultimate Old Fashioned.

They say golf is a good walk, ruined. Bill did a damn good job ruining walks for over 40 years. His buddies at Panorama will be disappointed to learn that they no longer have a chance to win their money back. Bill was unrivaled in Scrabble, and he never slept on an opportunity to crush his opponent with a triple word tile. He loved to travel, a passion he instilled in each of his children. Bill and Sue were lucky enough to celebrate an anniversary with a trip to London and Paris just days before pandemic travel restrictions. They would have celebrated 44 years of loving marriage on Aug. 12.
The community will best remember Bill as a musician and a talented bass player. For over 50 years, he played in local bands including Remus, The Jeffrey James Band, Funk-n-Gumbo, and Mojomo. Prior to retirement, Bill worked odd jobs to supplement his career as a musician, including a 25-year stint leading the Lackawanna County Redevelopment Authority and Community Development Agency. After retirement, Bill was determined to elevate the local music scene in Northeast PA by promoting shows and mentoring young musicians. His Soul Shakers rhythm section hosted regular blues jams at Arlo’s Tavern, where Bill and his family were touched to see the community support for a benefit blues jam in his honor last month.

Nothing was more important in Bill’s life than his family, whose accomplishments he was so very proud of. Bill is preceded in death by his brothers Anthony and Timothy. He is survived by his loving wife and number one fan, Sue. He leaves behind a son, Christopher, wife Jennifer, grandchildren Sawyer and Avery; twin daughters Kelly and partner Matthew Cushwa, grandchildren Xander and Chet, and great grandchildren Jason and William; Kim and partner James Henderson and grandson Oliver; a daughter Lindsay; a sister Terry Coleman Volpe; numerous nieces and nephews; a neurotic border collie; two cats you wouldn’t believe he never wanted; and several basses. He will be missed by all.

The funeral will be Saturday August 13th in the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main Street, Forest City, with a celebration of life ceremony beginning at 12 Noon.  Friends may call on Saturday, from 11 am until 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family asks that you support your local live music scene and promptly change the station whenever you hear Brown Eyed Girl come on the radio.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" Coleman, please visit our floral store.